Driver survives tornado tossing his truck

2012-12-12T00:51:55Z2012-12-12T00:51:56Z

Jerry Millet

Lacey Millet

GONZALES, LA (WAFB) -

The tornado that touched down in Gonzales Monday produced
a remarkable survival story in its wake. Jerry Millet was driving down Airline
Hwy. making his morning deliveries during the height of the storm when his truck
was picked up by the high winds and thrown about 20 feet.

"I didn't know where I was or how
high in the air I was, but I kept pushing on the brakes in that truck, like
that was going to do something for me," he recounted.

It was over nearly as soon as it began, and Millet's truck
landed on top of a parked vehicle nearby. He says the only thing that ran
through his mind was his dislike of roller coaster rides at theme parks. After
landing with minor bruises and cuts, Millet said everything became very quiet
and still.

"I heard my daughter's voice and I thought I was dead," he
confessed. "I'm seeing all of this but I'm really dead, because I heard my
daughter's voice – and when I looked up I saw her walking up to me."

Lacey Millet had seen some debris flying in the air and
didn't want to drive through it. Next thing she knew a truck was swirling into
the air.

"I noticed that was my dad's work truck" she said. "I saw
the whole thing happen and I immediately ran up to him to see if he was okay."

He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and
released. For his part, Millet insists he's thankful he's still alive,
confessing he would be in church that Sunday.

"It was like I was in the Wizard of Oz," he
marveled.

On Tuesday, the truck Millet was driving was parked at the Bumper-to-Bumper
Auto Parts on Airline. Its right tire flattened, hood crushed, and right rear
panel were all caved in. Both the rear and driver's side window were completely
shattered.